The jig is up

Michael Williams

Created date

March 8th, 2010

There are two possible origins for this phrase. The first one uses the term jig as a dance and basically means that the dance is over, and it s time to pay the piper. The second possible origin points to a change in the use of the term jig around the 1600s, when it referred more to a joke and a scheme than it did a dance. To say that the jig is up is to let one know that you re on to his or her plan, and the practical joke has been exposed. In its modern usage, the term also refers to the discovery of a criminal scheme. "The jig is up. I know you ve been stealing from the cash register."